Plants of Emily Traphagen Park
After several weeks of learning the plants of Ohio, I now look to complete my Ohio Plants class with a final trip of formalized, class-directed botanizing. But in this field trip, I’m flying solo! Follow along as I explore the wonders of Emily Traphagen Park in Delaware county.
This park was created in memory of Emily Traphagen, who loved the open space of the property. It features multiple habitat types, including forested upland dominated by sugar maples (Acer saccharum), a pond habitat featuring some aquatic plants, and a meadow of goldenrods and sunflowers. Located half a mile east of the Scioto river, it is a wonderful extension of habitat, making it a small haven for various native wildlife species amongst suburban developments.
**Throughout this post “the field guide” will refer to Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.).
Poison Ivy:
Toxicodendron radicans. A latin name meaning “toxic tree,” it’s not exactly a tree. The old adage “leaves of 3, let it be” is a bit misleading, as the typical “leaves of three” are not individual leaves, but actually a trifoliate leaflet. In addition, it doesn’t grow as a tree, though it is considered a woody vine. It can grow as a shrub, but if growing as a vine, it will have hairy projections and rootlets projecting outwards. Other distinguishing features are the pale, clustered white berries, and in fall, the tendency for the leaves to become a lovely autumn color (Peterson Guide).
Invaders from Beyond:
Amur Honeysuckle: Originates in China, the far eastern area of Russia, Korea, and Japan. It was introduced as an ornamental plant. See Marrow’s Honeysuckle for control measures.
Morrow’s Honeysuckle: This also originated as an ornamental plant, and was introduced from Korea and Japan. Control for both honeysuckles often involves removal, especially when plants are small and will cause minimal damage to the soil.
Privet: Another invasive species, there is a European privet and a Chinese privet, which can be treated by removal, or by various different chemical treatments, including spraying. (Ohio State Extension).
Multiflora Rose: This plant is from Japan, China, and Korea, and can be removed physically when small, or chemically with products such as RoundUp. There is also a virus which is spread through a mite, acting as a form of biological control.
Hey! 5 New Plants!
- Smilax tamnoides- Bristly Greenbrier is a monocotyledon woody vine with a CC of 3. Many greenbrier species are utilized by numerous wildlife for food, but Ruffed Grouse are one of the few species that consume both leaves and berries (Bristly Greenbrier). Additionally, for those of us interested in wetland statuses, this species is also considered facultative.
- Vitis riparia– Riverbank grape is a woody vine with CC of 3, and contrarily to greenbrier, it is a dicot. The bark of the vine is exfoliating as it gets larger, and is considered tolerant of insects and disease (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center).
- Ulmus rubra– Slippery elm is a native tree with a CC of 3, and is identifiable by its alternate leaf arrangement, simple leaf complexity, and serrate leaf margin. The inner bark is edible, and can be used as a cough medicine. It is also a larval host to several Lepidopteran species (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center).
- Lindera benzoin– Northern spicebush is a native shrub with a CC of 5, and is a larval host to Eastern Swallowtail Butterflies. The branches and leaves can also be used to make a tea! (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center).
- Bidens aristosa– Bearded beggarticks, also known as Tickseed Sunflower, are a forb, with CC of 4. They are known to attract native bees, and are used in biological conservation to attract predators of invasive insects.
Fruity Findings:
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia): Nut
Once I saw one of these, I saw them all over the place! I previously didn’t know what tree they belonged to, but these American beech nuts have a spiky outer appearance and split along four seams to reveal an inner nut.
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata): Nut
I noticed the shagbark hickory nuts in several pieces along the path before I even observed the tree. This nut has a smooth outer surface and compared to shellbark hickory is a bit smaller. The husk is also thick.
Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos): Legume
These legumes were found along the trail and are quite characteristic to the honeylocust tree. They are approximately 8 inches long and a dark brownish-purple color.
White Ash (Fraxinus americana): Samara
With leaves nearly gone, I only noticed this tree because of the clusters of fruits. The samara of a white ash differs from that of a green ash particularly in its wider middle section, making it appear more as a boat paddle.
Boss Mosses:
- Delicate Fern Moss
- Brocade Moss
- Woodsy Thyme Moss
- Red-Stemmed Feather Moss
